Blazes take lives, destroy land and property, and cost societies millions. How do we enhance our wildfire management strategies in Trinidad and Tobago?
A wind-driven wildfire event began on January 7, 2025, causing widespread damage in Southern California. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 98 wildfires, engulfing 36,000 acres, have killed at least five people and forced 180,000 people from their homes (as at January 10). Over 10,000 structures have been destroyed, and nearly 14,000 emergency responses were conducted so far.
For us, the term “wildfire” is not common, but we use the term ‘bushfire’. A wildfire is an unplanned, unwanted wild land fire, including unauthorised human-caused fires. They can start and spread rapidly through different types of wildlands.
Wildfires can have significant impacts on the environment, wildlife, and human communities. It can cause major ecological and economic losses, leaving scorched, barren land that may not return to their conditions for decades.
However, not all wildfires are bad. Controlled fires are often intentionally set for land management purposes. The process of clearing underbrush and debris, returning soil nutrients, and allowing sunlight access can provide food and habitat for various animals, while also killing harmful insects and preventing the spread of diseases.
Do we need to consider wildfires in Trinidad and Tobago as potential threat? The answer lies in the history of these events in this country.
Bushfires are common in Trinidad's Northern Range during the dry season, when key watersheds are highly vulnerable. From 2018 to 2023, 250-300 forest fires and 1,500-2,000 hectares were burned. Nearly one-third of our population lives near the Northern Range, and the increasing number of human settlements and developments in hillslope areas has increased the risk of bushfires affecting these settlements. The Fire Service reported increased financial losses and bushfires, from 1,087 bushfires in 2021 to 3,380 bushfires in 2024, resulting in a total of $888,985 in losses (“Trinidad and Tobago Newsday”, 2024).
Improving wildfire management is crucial for reducing the devastating impacts of wildfires. Utilising advanced technologies like satellite imagery, drones, and AI can improve early detection and monitoring. Apart from addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emission, implementation of controlled burns and mechanical thinning can reduce the amount of combustible material in forests and other wildlands. The impact of wildfires can also be mitigated by educating communities about fire safety, creating defensible spaces around properties, and developing evacuation plans. Investing in better equipment, training, and support for firefighters can enhance their ability to combat wildfires effectively. In the long term, the country will benefit from strengthened policies and funding for wildfire management initiatives, including workforce reforms and ecosystem restoration.